Background. Women of color (WOC) are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, in terms of infection, mortality, and risk of being lost to care. We explore the role of depression, trauma, and ongoing partner psychological abuse as possible barriers to retention of WOC in HIV care.

Results. WOC were approximately equally distributed across education categories (less than, high school, more than high school) and 65 percent (%) were under 50 years old. Ten (10%) were in non-permanent housing and the vast majority (70%) was unemployed. Correlations between depression and the abuse scales were moderate (r=0.3). In models containing sociodemographic variables only, unemployment and low education were significantly associated with increased depression scores. In models including trauma, both child and adult trauma were associated with increased depression and the sociodemographics were reduced to statistical non-significance. Ongoing partner psychological abuse was also associated with higher depression scores.

Conclusion. Depression is a barrier preventing HIV(+) people from adhering to medical care. Experiences with past trauma and current psychological abuse by WOC are associated with increased levels of depression. Identifying the determinants and co-conditions for depression may be important in caring for this population.

Learning Areas:

Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:1.Identify the sociodemographic factors associated with depression among HIV+ women of color
2.Identify the abuse-related correlates associated with increased depression scores among HIV+ women of color
3.Explain how qualitative data can be used to complement quantitative findings

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the evaluator of the Guide to Healing project. Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.